- Bryon Harris
Danny Beissel’s Featherborn – ‘Blush’
By Matt Wong & Staff
Danny Beissel is an in-demand vocalist who is the lead singer for his new rock band Featherborn. You may recognize his voice as the front-man singing "Long Train Running" for The American Vinyl All Star Band (featuring Jeff “Skunk” Baxter from Steely Dan/Doobie Brothers; Barry Goudreau and Fran Sheehan formerly of Boston; Leroy Romans of The Wailers, Robert “Mousey” Thompson of the James Brown Band and Charlie Colin of Train). Beissel’s journey has also led him to playing with some of the most talented musicians in the business including Charlie Colin, former bassist for Grammy-Award Winning Train, who played bass and guitar on Beissel's upcoming album and Scott Underwood, former drummer for Train, who drummed and produced the album, which is slated for release in 2020. Special guests include esteemed musicians as Jeff “Skunk” Baxter from Steely Dan/Doobie Brothers and Brian Quinn, lead guitarist of Candlebox, which is a testament to Beissel’s influence in the industry.
Beissel's song "Blush" is a great way to get better acquainted with the singer and songwriter that the critics are raving about. “Blush” is a pop/rock love song that is by all music standards - flawless. The song begins with electric guitar and piano playing a root/5th 8th note duo in unison creating a light and mesmerizing landscape with just the right amount of tension. This riff is accompanied by a nice groove on the drums playing the kick and snare. Beissel’s vocals enter and the deal is sealed. Beissel has a radio-ready, natural voice that has mass appeal as he sings,
"When the night falls down on me, and the shadows fall on me, I wander through the streets. Let the gaze begin."
The second verse introduces a second electric guitar on the right side, playing fills keeping the listener's ears engaged to the track. The song enters the chorus with a big guitar strum on the downbeat, and along with the introduction of the bass, and background vocals, the chorus blooms. Beissel's voice is extremely expressive. Throughout the song he shows artistic nuance using dynamics, pleasing phrasing, and emotion.
After another exciting chorus, the song takes us into a bridge which effectively breaks up the songs form with different harmony, and new guitar, and piano lines. A simple, yet appropriately played guitar solo is interleaved in the bridge. The song ends on the bridge demonstrating advanced composition that leaves you wanting more.
The lyrics in “Blush” are written about a past love. With a “throwback vibe that feels like a good mood,” Beissel sings “Please don’t runaway, I got some things to say,” and “let me be the one that makes you blush.” The innocent lyrics are refreshing, making this song a love song that feels genuine. The song captures blissful romance with a nostalgic feel-good vibe that perfectly captures the way it feels to yearn to be special to someone you love.
Check out Beissel's charismatic performance in the video of "Blush."
“Blush” by Danny Beissel’s Featherborn is a fantastic piece of songwriting, and an example of a high quality performance by a gifted artist. Beissel’s combination of songwriting talent, and top-notch vocal chops makes him a musical force to be reckoned with. Shout out to the fantastic musicians who performed on this track for the excellent musicianship.
For more information about Danny Beissel's Featherborn, please visit their website. Listen on Spotify.
About Danny Biesel Featherborn
Hailed by critics and fans alike as one of the most versatile singers of his time, vocalist Danny Beissel is just as comfortable singing original songs that he has written with his new rock band Featherborn as he is belting out the lyrics to the iconic "Long Train Running", which he sings when he stars as the guest frontman for The American Vinyl All Star Band (featuring Jeff “Skunk” Baxter from Steely Dan/Doobie Brothers; Barry Goudreau and Fran Sheehan formerly of Boston; Leroy Romans of The Wailers, Robert “Mousey” Thompson of the James Brown Band and Charlie Colin of Train).
Beissel’s journey has also led him to playing with some of the most talented musicians in the business including Charlie Colin, former bassist for Grammy-Award Winning Train, who played bass and guitar on the album and Scott Underwood, former drummer for Train, who drummed and produced the album, which is slated for release in 2020. The trio recorded the self-titled album in the iconic Blackbird studios in Nashville, TN and even had special guest appearances by such esteemed musicians as Jeff “Skunk” Baxter from Steely Dan/Doobie Brothers and Brian Quinn, lead guitarist of Candlebox, which is a testament to Beissel’s influence in the industry.
However, among all the stars he’s performed and recorded with, the one person who is, perhaps, the most instrumental to Beissel’s career would have to be Candlebox Lead Guitarist Brian Quinn, with whom he started his first original band Fosterchild in early 2000. After all, Fosterchild would prove to be Beissel’s first time fronting a national band. And, with former FUEL Drummer Kevin Miller and Tantric Bassist Erik Leonhardt rounding out the lineup, they found themselves signed with Warner Brother’s ILG label in less than a year and on the road touring with the biggest names in the industry, including Shinedown, Buckcherry, Zakk Wylde and more.
The group became so popular, in fact, that it was asked to travel to Guantanamo Bay to perform for the U.S. troops for a special New Year’s Eve show. It was a moment that Beissel recalls as “one of the most important and most memorable” of his career.
Today, Beissel continues to evolve as a musician. Excited about the future, Beissel has but one goal in mind to “create and perform music that connects with my fans on an emotional level”. With a versatile vocal range and a stage presence that oozes with swagger, Beissel is sure to ignite audiences, no matter what the music is or with whom he is performing.
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